Tonawanda High School is proud to recognize two outstanding student-athletes who represented the Timberwolves at the New York State Championships this winter. Their dedication, perseverance and competitive spirit exemplify the pride of Tonawanda athletics.
Anthony Gugino – Wrestling
Sophomore Anthony Gugino qualified for the New York State Wrestling Championships and entered the tournament ranked 8th in New York State. Gugino battled through an extremely competitive bracket and advanced to the “Blood Round,” the pivotal match where a win guarantees a place on the state podium. In a hard-fought match that went into overtime, Gugino came up just short, narrowly missing the final placing round. Competing at the state level as a sophomore and performing at such a high level is an incredible accomplishment, and the future is bright for Gugino and the Tonawanda wrestling program.
Jack Shepler – Boys Swimming:
Senior Jack Shepler capped off a remarkable season for the Tonawanda boys swimming team. On his road to the state championships, Shepler broke two long-standing school records, setting a new mark in the 500 Freestyle (5:01.58) and the 200 IM (2:02.34).
At the Section VI Championships, Shepler's outstanding performances earned him a tie for the prestigious “Dick Pauly Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet” award, recognizing him as one of the top swimmers in all of Western New York. Shepler's achievements this season have firmly placed him among the best swimmers in Tonawanda history.
When at States, Shepler swam a 2:01.71 as another PR in the 200 IM that placed him just out of state finals, 36th in the state meet. After a couple scratches, Shepler was back in! He PR'ed once again going 2:00.70 making him 21st in the state. This time reset the Tonawanda record again, is an ECIC record, and Class C record! Finally, Shepler was selected as the Sportsmanship Section VI athlete of the Year.
We congratulate Anthony and Jack for their incredible seasons and for representing Tonawanda High School with pride, determination, and excellence. The entire Tonawanda community is proud of your accomplishments!
